Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! Opens on Broadway Sep. 28

Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY! will open on Broadway Thursday, September 28, 2006, at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street), it was announced by the show's producers. The new comedy about finding your voice – and throwing it, begins preview performances on Tuesday, September 19. A pre-Broadway engagement at Boston's American Repertory Theatre has been set for July 12 – August 6.

In his 30-year career, Jay Johnson has converted generations of ventriloquist-avoiding Americans with his unique blend of charm, anarchy and innovative wit. In Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY! he deconstructs and demonstrates his lifelong obsession, aided by a "cast" that includes 'Bob,' 'Amigo,' 'Darwin,' 'Long John La Feat,' 'Nethernore – the bird of Death,' 'Spaulding,' 'Arthur Drew,' 'Jackie and Ga Ga,' and 'Squeaky.'

Best known for playing the schizophrenic role of Chuck and Bob on the groundbreaking television comedy, "Soap," Jay Johnson is widely regarded as one of the world's great living ventriloquists. The ancient craft was discovered thousands of years ago and was used by early chieftans and tribesmen, who acted as mediums between men and supernatural forces. The case has also been made that diviners in many religions, including the Oracle of Delphi, were ventriloquists. With his dummy Bob, Jay Johnson follows in the footsteps of such performers as Jules Vernon, Fred Russell (and Coster Joe), The Great Lester (and Frank Byron, Jr.), Edgar Bergen (and Charlie McCarthy) and Paul Winchell, who have all helped to define ventriloquism as a bonafide modern art form.

Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY! is directed and co-created by Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel. Their collective credits include Broadway (A Chorus Line, Godspell), New York Shakespeare Festival, film (Annie, Perfect) and television ("Deadwood," "Carnivale," "ER," "It's A Living," "Taxi" and "Cheers") as directors, performers and choreographers.

The creative team also includes Beowulf Boritt (scenery), Clifton Taylor (lighting), David Gotwald (sound), and Michael Andreas (original music).

Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY! is produced by Roger Alan Gindi, Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley, Dan Whitten, Herbert Goldsmith Productions and WetRock Entertainment. The show had an acclaimed run off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater in 2004.

Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY! will play the following performance schedule: Tuesday - Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale exclusively to American Express Gold Card members on August 20; and to the general public beginning September 3 -- and will be available at TeleCharge (212) 239-6200, www.telecharge.com, and at the Helen Hayes Theatre box office.

www.thetwoandonly.com